Caste in National Census-I
THE UPA government’s initiative to include caste in the n census is a welcome step. In India, caste is a social reality. And if reservations are granted on the basis of caste, then it is only logical to include caste in the census, to give a correct picture of people belonging to a particular caste. Although the Catholic Bishops Conference of India has welcomed the move, there may not be sufficient reason to be jubilant, since Christian Dalits will still not qualify for reservations. Once converted to Christianity, they automatically lose their Schedule Caste/Dalit tag, as there are no castes in Christianity. However, it is the East Indian community of Mumbai who will stand to benefit, since they have been officially accorded OBC status by the central government, and can now avail of reservations and concessions. I hope this will clear some of the  prevailing cobwebs.
A F NAZARETH, Alto Porvorim 

Caste in National Census-II
OUR political system is purely structured on the basis of caste reflected by the vote banks that are built by every single political party. We reserve our jobs on the basis of caste and have had a big debate in the recent past as to how much of the seats in our professional educational system should be reserved on the basis of caste. We are also currently doing a census in which one of the parameters that is being recorded is caste. Then why this hullabaloo about the ban on sagotra marriages by the khap panchayats? This is but a corollary of the adherence to our religion. If caste is acceptable, then the ban on sagotra marriages should also be acceptable.
S KAMAT, Alto Betim

Caste in National Census-III
CASTE based census in this day and age is an anachronism and nothing but an extension of vote bank politics to further the personal interests of those leaders who have used this ladder to rise up the political hierarchy. All his life the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi, fought for the abolition of the caste system and equality of all Indians. India’s constitution disallows any discrimination on the basis of caste. It is a retrograde step to invoke the caste bogey. The only criterion for any special favour for any Indian should be his economic status. When the economic status of a person rises, the caste bias evaporates. It is poverty that is a curse and it is this curse that should be fought tooth and nail.
RJ KHURANA, Bhopal

Spare the Gallows and Invite Trouble
CLOSE on the heels of the Supreme Court affirming death sentence on the 26/11 terrorist, Ajmal Kasab, there have been fresh demands for speedy disposal of the case pertaining to Afzal Guru, the mastermind in the parliament attack case, that shook the country some years ago. It is simply unacceptable how the mercy petition of this dreaded terrorist who was charged for waging war against the nation for being the main architect of the attack on the temple of Indian democracy, has still been gathering dust in the highest office of the country. Whom are we sheltering or who are we striving to appease in this backdrop? In this context it would be worth mentioning the statement made by the BJP spokesman to one of the popular TV channels, that had we been firm in executing the death sentence on Afzal Guru, a strong message would have been sent that for any act of terrorism the surest road in India, is the gallows. He further reiterated that in that situation the 26/11 tragedy would never have come to pass. The need of the hour is to act with grit and determination.
MICHAEL VAZ, Merces

Listen to Grievances of Retired Teachers 
ON the one hand the government speaks of introducing various welfare schemes for our senior citizens and on the other, when they come up with genuine demands, they are arrested and put behind bars like petty criminals. It was shocking to read that 84 protesting retired teachers who were heading towards the CMs residence for a hunger strike (NT, May 29) were arrested and later released. It is understood that these teachers are seeking 2 years compensation along with arrears of the Sixth Pay Commission as they were forced to retire at the age of 58 years, as a result of change in rules. It is sad that the common man has to suffer due to the policies introduced by different governments. Through a policy decision taken by the BJP government, teachers were forced to retire at 58 years. Ironically, the Opposition Leader has come out in support of demands of the retired senior teachers and said that the CM must try and fulfil the same.  It is a pity that our politicians visit the citizens in their homes before elections begging for votes and after elections try to ‘protect’ themselves from the same citizens by using Section 144. As per the order, besides the assembly of five or more people, the district administration has banned carrying of weapons of offence such as lathis, swords, daggers and spears besides using loud speakers and burning of fire crackers. Does the administration expect these senior retired teachers to carry weapons like swords, daggers and spears? Instead of hiding behind the protective wall of Section 144 the CM should give senior citizens an assurance of fulfilling their demands. The Education Minister should step in as well. These senior citizens cannot resort to a chalk-down strike as they are already retired and hence resorted to a hunger strike. Do we have an aam admi government in the state?
ADELMO FERNANDES, VASCO